Concord Privacy News: 4/25/23

Energy and Commerce Leaders Announce Hearing on Guaranteeing Data Privacy Protections Online

The Energy and Commerce Committee of the United States House of Representatives has announced a hearing for Thursday, April 27, 2023 to address the issue of data privacy protection on the internet. As technology continues to advance and the amount of personal information shared online increases, concerns about data breaches and misuse of personal information have grown. The hearing will provide an opportunity for leaders in the field to discuss the current state of data privacy protection and potential solutions for ensuring the safety and security of online users' personal data.

Chairs Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Chair Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement:“The Energy and Commerce Committee is building momentum this Congress towards enacting comprehensive national privacy and data security legislation. Many aspects of our daily lives now exist online and on apps—from tracking our fitness and making digital transactions, to using online youth-oriented services. Today, different laws govern how Americans' information can be collected and used, on people and children, across a variety of sectors including: education, financial, health care, and consumer behavior. As a result, people often believe their privacy is protected when in fact it is not. A key part of our efforts is ensuring that these gaps in the law are addressed to protect our most intimate personal information. This hearing will focus on identifying and addressing the gaps that exist in order to strengthen people’s privacy protections on online services and preserve innovation and entrepreneurship.”

For more information on the agenda and live streaming of the public hearing visit: https://energycommerce.house.gov/events/innovation-data-and-commerce-subcommittee-hearing-promoting-u-s-innovation-and-individual-liberty-through-a-national-standard-for-data-privacy.

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Other Privacy News of Note

Iowa Is the Sixth State to Enact Data Privacy Law

The state of Iowa has become the sixth state in the United States to enact a comprehensive data privacy law. The Iowa Consumer Privacy Act (ICPA) follows the footsteps of California, Virginia, Nevada, Maine, and Colorado, which have all passed similar privacy laws in recent years. The ICPA is designed to give Iowa residents more control over their personal data and impose certain obligations on companies that collect and process such data. Read more.

Biden Signs Executive Order on EU-US Data Privacy Agreement

The Biden administration is seeking to rebuild trust with the European Union (EU) on data privacy by issuing a new executive order that aims to strengthen protections for the personal data of EU citizens when transferred to the United States. The executive order outlines a number of measures, including directing the Department of Commerce to work with the European Commission to develop a new framework for transatlantic data transfers, and calling for stronger enforcement of privacy rules by U.S. agencies. The move comes after a long-standing agreement between the EU and the U.S. on data privacy, known as the Privacy Shield, was struck down by the European Court of Justice last year, leaving many companies unsure about how to handle EU data. Read more.

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